The Slender Waist-Chapter 380 - 271: Dashing Figure

A mathematics master, defeated by an unknown child, and as a result losing Xinzhou—if this were true, Yan Buxi truly would have no face to continue living.

For someone like him, reputation mattered more than life itself.

Speaking with passion, his aged eyes brimming with tears, he refused to concede defeat.

"There are mountains beyond mountains, towers beyond towers, among the strong there is always someone stronger. Mr. Yan, you agreed to the wager; you should accept the loss." Feng Yun suddenly stepped out from the crowd.

She was wearing a thick fox fur wind-gown, her delicate face framed by the fur collar, looking clear and elegant yet with a pale complexion. With a casual smile, a sharpness leapt from her eyes that made her whole presence seem crisp and formidable.

"How about Mr. Yan competes with me in public?"

Yan Buxi, who had been focusing on solving the problem, was unaware of what had happened until now, he finally realized that the person pulling the strings from behind was Feng Yun.

Even so, he still refused to accept it.

The mathematical ability of Mr. Xing far exceeded his knowledge and imagination. Although this Feng Shi Er Niang was extraordinarily intelligent, those were not ordinary math problems. Even if she knew the methods to solve them, it would take time to calculate the answers. If she didn’t know the solution, how could she be so quick?

"Fine. Let the old man test your mettle, display your skills and convince me thoroughly!"

Yan Buxi stood up.

He ceremoniously bowed to Feng Yun, somewhat annoyed and embarrassed.

"Since the young lady of the Feng Family has issued a challenge, I dare not refuse. Crown Prince Chunyu, please have Mr. Quding set a problem right here."

Quding was standing by as an onlooker.

If it wasn’t for the fact that he had witnessed Feng Shi Er Niang declining the Crown Prince’s "kindness" last night, he too might have suspected that Feng Shi Er Niang and Mr. Xing had cheated.

The suspicions of Yan Buxi were also his own suspicions.

When he had set the problems, he had used his most challenging, boast-worthy questions. That kid Mr. Xing somehow managed to solve so many...

Especially the calculation problems.

They were unbelievably fast.

Quding chuckled and looked at Chunyu Yan with a bow, his eyes full of probing intent.

"Your Highness, should I set the problem or not?"

Chunyu Yan’s expression was cool, and the corner of his lips revealed a slight smile, his tone indifferent.

"Set it."

He wanted to see exactly what kind of skill Feng Shi Er Niang possessed.

He also wanted to see which of his own side was a traitor, having been bought by her...

Hmph!

No wonder Feng Twelve rejected him last night.

It turns out she had learned the problems from someone else.

Chunyu Yan stared at Feng Yun’s calm face, his smile unchanging.

"However, you won’t be the one to set the problem."

Quding had already stepped forward when he suddenly heard this statement, and he recoiled.

"Your Highness..."

He wanted to say something, but knowing he couldn’t speak further upon seeing the smile in Chunyu Yan’s eyes.

"Yes, sir." He bowed and backed away.

Chunyu Yan walked forward unhurriedly and with composure, and loudly proclaimed:

"Since some suspect Yunchuan of cheating by leaking the problems, let’s have the Crown Prince of Yunchuan and Qi Jun each set five questions on the spot, shall we?"

The surroundings instantly fell silent.

Xiao Cheng remained unmoved.

Sitting with impeccable posture amidst countless probing eyes, he quietly said:

"Very well. I appreciate your effort, Your Highness."

Chunyu Yan, without a word, swept back his wind-gown and approached the table. In front of everyone, he rolled up his sleeves, dipped his brush, and wrote.

Xiao Cheng’s expression remained unchanged; he too had pen and ink prepared. With a face of serene opulence, there was no hint of anger, and his demeanor commanded respect, contrasting greatly with Yan Buxi’s hysteria.

A pin-drop silence ensued.

If the Crown Prince of Yunchuan was to personally set the questions, regardless of his level, just by the figures he wrote down, one could tell they weren’t the kind easily memorized. In addition, there were Xiao Cheng’s five problems as backup; there was no possibility of cheating on either side.

Chunyu Yan declared, "Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, whoever solves more of the problems wins..."

The timer incense was lit.

The ten problems were handed over to Feng Yun and Yan Buxi respectively.

Yan Buxi, with one hand behind his back and full of confidence, took the problems.

Upon looking, his face turned ashen.

Feng Yun was also slightly surprised.

What kind of problems were these?

The problems Quding set, at least, required intelligence, necessitating one to think. Chunyu Yan’s were different: composed of brutally large numerical calculations entwined in bizarrely phrased questions, he probably didn’t even know the answers himself...

Of course, this didn’t stump Feng Yun.

The counting method taught by her mother allowed her to easily handle even the largest numbers, although it would take some time...

But the problems set by Xiao Cheng were much harder.

All were problems that truly challenged the intellect.

Only then did Yan Buxi feel somewhat satisfied, his chin raised as he looked disdainfully at Feng Yun.

"Miss Feng, please!"

"Mr. Yan, please."

The two of them bowed to each other and sat down opposite one another. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Next to Yan Buxi, as usual, stood a servant ready to grind ink and pass paper and brushes.

Feng Yun did not ask for any servants to attend to her. Instead, she called Mr. Xing over.

"Watch and learn, and feel free to ask if you don’t understand."

Xing Dalang smiled with delight and bowed respectfully.

"I understand," he said humbly.

So one was all absorbed in calculating, the other all absorbed in watching. Whenever there was something Xing Dalang did not understand, he would ask, and Feng Yun would even stop to explain in detail.

They were completely devoid of any nervousness typical of competition.

Those in the audience watched in astonishment and confusion.

Xing Dalang had just made quite an impression.

Wasn’t he being hailed as a prodigy?

But here, in front of Feng Yun, he was merely a servant...

In the tense atmosphere, the world seemed to stand still.

No one spoke; there was only the rustling of the pen on paper.

The cold breeze brushed past, and Feng Yun’s dress swayed slightly. Seated upright, her beauty and grace resembled a perfect piece of exquisite jade. She blended in with the crowd yet remained distinct, her every stroke gently plucking at one’s heartstrings.

Not far away, among the crowd...

Pei Jue stood quietly.

Like everyone else, he watched the maiden who held everyone’s attention.

Jiu You was also dumbfounded, motionless.

But Zuo Zhong’s brows were slightly furrowed as he asked in a low voice:

"General, what should we do now?"

Just before this contest, the Beiyong Army was already in a state of readiness, prepared to turn hostile against the Qi Army at any moment—just waiting for Chunyu Yan to announce Qi’s victory and Xinzhou’s transfer to Qi Country, they were set to strike...

Who could have anticipated such an unexpected turn of events, like the sudden arrival of spring after winter?

It was Jin Country that had won.

Pei Jue looked at that delicately figure, his dark eyes filled with complex emotions, yet his expression remained unchanged.

"All units stand by, do not act rashly," he commanded.

Zuo Zhong acknowledged with a "Yes."

Jiu You took a long sigh of relief.

"The madam is truly a genius. She even made Yan Buxi lie flat. If we lost again, we’d have to start calling her ’Dad’..."

His words were intended for Pei Jue, but as the arena was so silent and everyone was inflated with tension, he didn’t quite know how to hold back. His voice grew louder and was heard by many.

Someone from Qi immediately sneered in response.

"Winning by cheating, what kind of genius is that?"

Jiu You looked over and saw two Qi Army guards.

"Ignorant brats, unsatisfied with your loss. It looks like you’re lacking in parental discipline. Have you even heard about what mathematics is? Do you want me to reluctantly take you in..."

The two guards were red with rage.

"What did you say? Say it again if you dare!"

"I said, are you lacking a father? You’re so pitiful, not even knowing the basics of mathematics. Shall I trouble myself to take care of you..."

"You shameless wretch!" One of the guards shouted as he pulled out his sword, ready to burst out in anger, while those around him held him back. But a slight provocation had both sides’ guards ready to act.

They were already opposing forces, and a mere word could spark fury.

No one wanted to give in; a conflict could break out at any moment...

"Back down!"

"Everyone stand down!"

Two low shouts rang out almost simultaneously.

It was Pei Jue and Xiao Cheng.

They exchanged glances.

Xiao Cheng waved his hand, and the guards stepped back, still with unwillingness on their faces.

Pei Jue, on the other hand, remained still, his demeanor calm, with only one command.

"Whoever dares speak out of turn will have their tongue cut out."

"Yes," all the guards responded in unison.

The noisy crowd quieted down instantly.

Not only did Jin’s guards comply, but even Qi’s guards shut their mouths.

Clearly, General Pei did not want anyone to disturb his wife’s concentration on the problem...

Not only that, but he had immense confidence in his wife, believing that she would surely win, which is why he wouldn’t allow anyone to speak ill...

The protection of his wife was evident for all to see.

Li Sangruo’s face looked extremely unpleasant.

Everyone said Mr. Pei was heartless and ruthless, yet who knew he would protect a woman so fiercely...

She felt a surge of blood rushing to her chest and a metallic taste in her throat; clutching her chest, she stood up, not waiting for the contest to end, and hurried away.

As for Feng Ying, her face partially hidden by her veil, her expression was indescribable...

From childhood, hadn’t she been told she was better than Feng Yun?

Now, Feng Yun surpassed her in everything...

Even in the matter of this grand negotiation, she managed to steal the spotlight.

Feng Yun stopped writing, and the instant she looked up, she saw Li Sangruo turning pale as she left her seat.

"Qi Jun, Empress Dowager, Crown Prince Chunyu, our madam has finished," someone announced.

"Our madam has completed all ten problems!"

Xing Dalang lifted the answer sheet from the wooden desk.

When he referred to Feng Yun as "our madam," pride was visibly written all over his face.

As all eyes turned to him in surprise, he felt that his fourteen years of life reached its peak at that moment, even more thrilling than when he had previously sweated through the challenges and barriers.